In high-stakes environments such as mining and shipping, where workers often operate in challenging conditions, the importance of oral health is frequently overlooked.
However, maintaining healthy teeth and gums is not just about having a bright smile; it plays a crucial role in overall employee health, productivity, and cost-effectiveness.
Investing in oral health can yield significant benefits for employees and employers, particularly in industries with high physical demands, and absenteeism can lead to substantial losses.
Let us look closely at the subject and understand the importance of healthy teeth.
Teeth Problems and Broader Health Implications
Oral health is often narrowly defined by the condition of teeth; however, research shows that healthy teeth are linked to the prevention of various systemic diseases.
For instance, poor oral hygiene and gum diseases such as periodontitis have been connected to many conditions such as arthritis due to shared inflammatory pathways, cardiovascular diseases, with increased risk of heart and brain strokes, chronic kidney diseases, cancers (not only oral but also oesophageal cancer), liver dysfunction or respiratory infections when bacteria from decayed teeth can be aspirated to the lungs causing pneumonia.
This list can be much longer and is logical when we realize that teeth are connected through the blood system with all organs of our body: a minor infection of teeth can disseminate harmful bacteria to vital systems and cause dysfunction and life-threatening conditions such as brain abscess.
In high-risk occupations like mining, where employees may already face significant physical challenges, the last thing they need is the added burden of chronic illness related to inadequate oral care.
Companies can help mitigate these risks by promoting oral health and ensuring their workforce remains fit and capable.
Preventing Employee Evacuations, Reducing Absenteeism
Consider the scenario of staff working in the remote wilderness. If a worker experiences severe dental pain due to untreated cavities, the repercussions can be dire. Not only can this lead to the need for evacuation, disrupting operations and incurring hefty costs, but it also places unnecessary strain on emergency services.
By prioritizing oral health, employers can minimize the risk of such evacuations—keeping their teams on-site and focused on their tasks. But even without such drastic examples, healthy teeth can still improve the efficacy of the staff by reducing absenteeism.
Absenteeism is a persistent issue in many industries, and dental problems can significantly contribute to it. A study by the American Dental Association found that employees with untreated dental problems are more likely to miss work.
For businesses in the exploration sectors, where every team member's presence is critical, the cost of absenteeism can be astronomical.
By investing in dental health programs or offering regular check-ups, employers can help reduce absenteeism, ensuring that teams are consistently at full strength.
Enhancing Work Conditions
Healthy employees contribute to a better work environment. Workers not preoccupied with dental pain can concentrate better on their tasks, improving safety and efficiency.
A shipment crew on a vessel navigating rough seas must remain focused to ensure the ship's and its cargo's safety. If a crew member is distracted by discomfort, the potential for accidents increases, which could endanger that worker and their colleagues.
The Way Forward
While oral health was an ongoing problem for employers in Papua New Guinea, there is a practical solution now that can help you implement the age-old true principle that "prevention is better than cure."
One exemplary initiative in promoting oral health in the workplace is the partnership with LAMANA DENTAL CLINIC, which specializes in organizing training sessions for staff on proper dental hygiene and preventive care.
This Dental Clinic Company provides comprehensive dental check-ups and educates employees about oral health and well-being.
The company not only if offering workshops on oral health but also can do dental checks for all your staff and even provide services at work fields reducing costs of transportation of staff to Port Moresby or evacuation for dental treatment abroad that is still preferred by some companies despite poor cost-effectiveness of such practices.
LAMANA DENTAL CLINIC empowers workers to take charge of their lives. This proactive approach not only helps to identify and address potential dental issues early on but also fosters a culture of health and wellness within the organization, ultimately leading to a more productive and engaged workforce, and making employees feel valued and cared for.
